GRAYBIEL o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-04-15 published
Mark FARRELL, Newspaper Publisher (1913-2006)
Controversial top man at The Windsor Star and the Montreal Gazette was never reluctant to skewer sacred cows, but always remained a stickler for truth and integrity
By Douglas McARTHUR, Special to Globe and Mail, Page S11
Toronto -- Mark FARRELL arrived as publisher of The Windsor Star in 1969, driving a green Volkswagen Beetle festooned with flower decals. His young daughters, who put them on, had assured him they would easily wash off. They didn't, and the splashy foreign car, in the home of Chrysler Canada, was to become a symbol of a brash new direction for the previously staid newspaper.
During his four years in Windsor, Mr. FARRELL gave the Star's editorial support to the New Democratic Party in the 1972 federal election, the first time any Canadian newspaper had endorsed the party, and organized one of the country's first press councils.
As publisher of the Montreal Gazette, from late 1972 to 1977, he supported language rights for French-speaking Quebeckers and encouraged an era of award-winning investigative journalism. Earlier in his career, he supervised the building of Canada's largest rotogravure printing plant for Standard Publishing in Montreal, and played a key role in creating two of the most-read publications in the country's history, Weekend and Perspectives magazines.
A left-leaning social democrat from his days at McGill University, Mark FARRELL was never reluctant to skewer sacred cows, but was a stickler for truth and integrity. He lived with a stammer he could not control, but never allowed it to hold him back. In his personal time, he was an avid outdoorsman and expert skier, a caring family man and a lover of black poodles.
"Mark was every reporter's dream of what a publisher should be," says Tim Creery, editorial page editor of the Montreal Gazette under Mr. FARRELL. "He stood up to advertising and political pressure on editorial content. He applauded vigorous and deep-digging reporting. He encouraged outspoken editorials favouring the interests of ordinary people and denouncing privilege."
The second of four sons of Montreal stockbroker Gerald FARRELL and the former Eileen O'MEARA, Mark FARRELL was born into money. When he was 6, his father died. The boy attended Selwyn House, a private school in Montreal for a few years until his mother moved the family to England, where he and two brothers went to Ampleforth College, a prestigious Catholic boys' boarding school that their father had attended. In his unpublished memoirs, written with Mr. Creery's assistance, Mr. FARRELL described being the only boy since the school started to receive a caning of 13 strokes.
Returning to Canada, he earned a commerce degree at McGill University, yet the only diploma he ever posted on his office wall was from a six-week sociology course at Moscow University's American Institute. During the Depression, he turned a $5,000 inheritance into nearly $20,000 on the stock market and then lost it all. At the same time, he worked for free as managing editor of Canadian Forum, a left-leaning intellectual magazine, and as treasurer of the Ontario branch of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the predecessor of the New Democratic Party.
After becoming a chartered accountant, he was hired as promotion manager at Montreal Standard Publishing Co. He married his first wife, Joanna WRIGHT, on the eve of the Second World War, but was turned down by the military because of his stammer. Instead, he worked for the British Air Commission in New York, where he became internal auditor and signed cheques totalling $1.5-billion for British purchases of U.S. aircraft and supplies. Returning to Standard Publishing, he became a director and the right-hand man of John McConnell, son of owner J.W. McConnell.
At Standard, he supervised the construction of a state-of-the-art rotogravure printing plant and helped found Weekend and Perspectives, weekly English and French magazines that were carried in Saturday editions of newspapers across the country. Their combined circulation of 2.5-million was a Canadian record.
After separating from his first wife in the late 1940s, Mr. FARRELL married Florence WALL, a Weekend employee, in 1952. In 1969, Mr. FARRELL was hired to run The Windsor Star after two members of the owning GRAYBIEL family died in quick succession. According to his memoirs, he accepted the offer, which he had previously turned down, after being squeezed out in a power struggle at Standard Publishing. Told to act as through he owned The Windsor Star, he redesigned its layout, sponsored a regular broadcast on U.S. Public Television in Detroit to tell Americans about Canada, and made Peter BENESH, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, a member of the editorial board at the age of 23. Mr. BENESH recalls his boss regularly quoting H.L. Mencken's adage: "A journalist's job is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."
While at the Star in 1971, Mr. FARRELL set up a press council to consider local complaints. It became the model for the Ontario Press Council. He also led a successful editorial campaign to bring Windsor's U.S.-owned CKLW radio station into Canadian hands, says Hugh NANGLE, who served under Mr. FARRELL on the editorial boards in both Windsor and Montreal. In 1972, the Southam newspaper chain transferred Mr. FARRELL to Montreal.
Under Mr. FARRELL, The Windsor Star was the first large daily to support the New Democratic Party in a federal election, and the first to call for legalization of marijuana and abortion, Mr. NANGLE says. Mr. FARRELL also curtailed the influence of the Liberal Party over The Windsor Star and of the Conservative Party over the Gazette, he says. Under Mr. FARRELL, the Gazette supported the aspirations of Quebec nationalists, but not calls for separation.
"He was a patrician and had the air of a patrician," says Henry Aubin, an award-winning investigative reporter under Mr. FARRELL and now a Gazette columnist. "He could take on the anglo establishment as one of their own on equal terms. He could have been one of the boys." Mr. Aubin credits Mr. FARRELL with supporting investigative reporting and helping the staff set up a code of ethics for reporters.
Mr. FARRELL had a showdown with The Windsor Star's mechanical unions in 1970, when they staged a two-week sit-in strike in the pressroom. According to James BRUCE, then assistant city editor and later the Star's editor and publisher, Mr. FARRELL staged a sit-in of his own by staying in his office. Publication resumed in two weeks, thanks to a federal labour mediator.
A Time magazine article from the mid-seventies called the Gazette "Canada's most improved newspaper," thanks to Mr. FARRELL and his predecessor, Denis Harvey. It credited Mr. FARRELL with increasing the news budget by 40 per cent in two years, adding editorial staff and hiring managing editor Lindsay Crysler, who launched an era of investigative journalism, and Tim Creery, who gave the editorial and op-ed pages "some bite."
Terry Mosher, the Gazette's editorial cartoonist who signs his drawings Aislin, says Mr. FARRELL gave permission for him to run some controversial pieces early in his career. One of the Queen resulted in the publication of three days of angry letters from readers. Mr. FARRELL left the Gazette in 1977, moving with his wife to a ski property in Stowe, Vt. Later, they moved to Morrisville, Vt. In his retirement, he continued his passion for downhill skiing until 85. His greatest thrill came in 1970, when he did Switzerland's Haute Route, a hut-to-hut trek that involves downhill and cross-country skiing and climbing. Mr. FARRELL talked about social issues even at home, says Willa FARRELL, the youngest of his three daughters. When she was a child, she recalls him lamenting that the newspaper industry was built on the child labour of carrier boys.
Norman Redlich, a former dean of law at New York University and a long-time vacation friend in Vermont, says Mr. FARRELL once told him that the U.S. First Amendment protecting freedom of the press is an old whore that should be retired. "His point was: If you can't verify it, don't print it," Mr. Redlich says. "I've always thought it was an excellent thing for a publisher to say."
Mark FARRELL was born in Montreal on January 22, 1913.
He died of pneumonia on April 6, 2006, in Morrisville, Vt. He was 93. He is survived by his wife, Florence, and their daughters Fiona FARRELL and Willa FARRELL.
He also leaves Sally KININMONTH, his daughter from his marriage to Joanna WRIGHT, several grandchildren and his brother, Charles. An infant son, Mark, died after one day in 1957.

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GRAYDON o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-05-25 published
ELLAM, Wallace “Wally” Ralph
In Meaford on Wednesday, May 24, 2006. Wally ELLAM, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a son of the late Ralph and May (McWILLIAM) ELLAM, in his 86th year. Predeceased by his wife, the former Patricia “Pat“ GRAYDON. Loved father “Pop“ of May ELLAM of Los Angeles, California and predeceased by an infant daughter, Josephine. Also predeceased by his brother Douglas ELLAM of Meaford and remembered by his nieces and nephew Shawne BRYSON of Meaford, Warren ELLAM of Victoria, British Columbia, and Lauren ELLAM of Keswick and their families. Funeral and committal services, officiated by Reverend Gordon HUME, will be conducted at the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., in Meaford on Friday, May 26 at 1: 30 p.m. and a private family disposition of Wally's cremated remains will be conducted at a later date. Wally's family will receive Friends at the funeral home from 12: 00 noon until the hour of service at 1: 30 p.m. As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford General Hospital Foundation or a charity of choice would be appreciated.

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GRAYDON o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-03-04 published
RONSON, Dorothy Ruth (née SUTCLIFFE)
Passed away peacefully on March 1st, 2006 surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late James K. RONSON, mother of Janet GRAYDON, grandmother of Kim CHISHOLM (Ted) and Colin GRAYDON (Anne) and special G.G. to Eirinn, Clara and Jake CHISHOLM. Sister of the late Bob SUTCLIFFE (Toppy) and sister-in-law to the late Herbert RONSON (Marian). Aunt to Julie BOOTH, Mark SUTCLIFFE, Peter RONSON and Lisa BELLA. Special thanks to the caring staff of St. Michael's Hospital. At Ruth's request, a private family service has been held. Burial at Saint Mary's Church in Walkerville, Ontario to follow at a later date. If desired, donations in Ruth's memory may be made to Saint Simon-the-Apostle Church, 525 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1J1, 416-923-8714. stsimon@ca.on.aibn.com

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GRAYDON o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-01-03 published
LAMBKIN, Kenneth Albert (January 25, 1944-December 27, 2005)
Ken passed away suddenly in Richmond, British Columbia. Dear son of the late Elsie and Tommy LAMBKIN. Loved brother of Iris GRAYDON, Oakville, Ontario and Leigh LAMBKIN, Lindsay, Ontario. Special uncle to three nieces and three nephews. Cremation has taken place. Private family service later in Ontario.

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GRAYHURST o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-12-27 published
VAN LUYK, Stephen Jan
Suddenly in London on Saturday, December 24, 2006. Beloved husband of Klara. Loving father of Rebecca, Lauren, and Connor. Dear son of Mary GRAYHURST. Brother of Sandra and her husband Jack, Terry and her husband Carmine, Brian and his wife Lisa. Predeceased by his father Jan and sister Leslie. He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Steve's life will be held at 11: 00 a.m. on Friday, December 29 at the James A. Harris Funeral Home, 220 Saint_James St. at Richmond, London. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to an Education Trust Fund for Steve's children (Bank of Montreal Acct. 8100372, 338 Wellington Rd., London, Ontario N6C 4P6) would be gratefully acknowledged.

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GRAYLEY o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-12-30 published
ZAGORODNY, Pauline Leota
Peacefully, surrounded by her family on December 28, 2006 at University Hospital, Pauline Leota ZAGORODNY passed away in her 65th year. Loving mother of Lois and her husband John SIEGFRIED, Cheryl (Sean) GRAYLEY, Peter and his wife Judy ZAGORODNY, Lorie ZAGORODNY and step-mother of Pam LIVINGSTON. Dear grandmother of Christina, Paul and Brian and great-grandmother of Cory, Taylor and Terrel. Predeceased by her grand_son Michael. Survived by her siblings Babs, Ken, David and Grace. Friends will be received at Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel, 1997 Dundas Street East (at Wavell) for visitation on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 1 p.m. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. In memory, donations to the Lung Association would be appreciated.

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GRAYSON o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-03-20 published
GRAYSON, Bonnie Elizabeth
Peacefully with family at her side at University Hospital on March 18, 2006, Bonnie Elizabeth GRAYSON in her 64th year. Fondly remembered by her daughter Alicia, her husband Stuart of London and her son Andrew, his wife Carrie of Toronto. Dearly missed by former husband Tom GRAYSON of Kitchener. Lovingly remembered by her cousins, nieces, nephews, family and Friends. Visitation will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel, 1997 Dundas St. E. (at Wavell) on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the chapel. Interment to follow at Forest lawn Memorial Gardens. Donations to the Lupus Foundation of Ontario gratefully appreciated by the family. Online condolences are available through www.memorial-funeral.ca. Arrangements entrusted to memorial Funeral Home 452-3770.

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GRAYSTON o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-03-12 published
GOODYEAR, Irene Mary
Suddenly at London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital on Friday, March 10, 2006 Irene Mary GOODYEAR in her 86th year. Predeceased by her husband Frederick GOODYEAR. Loving mother of Sheila and Chris SSAINTERRE, Marilyn and Louie LONGO, and Debbie and Michael POMBIERE. Cherished nana of 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Also survived by her sister Karen EUDEN, her brother-in-law Albert GRAYSTON and her niece Judy GRAYSTON. Visitors will be received at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 o'clock where the funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 12 noon. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Donations to the Arthritis Society would be appreciated.

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GRAZIA o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-02-17 published
DE FELICE, Antonio " Tony"
Passed away peacefully, with his loving family at his side, on Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at the age of 58. Beloved husband of Rosanna. Loving father of Lisa, Peter and his wife Bonnie. Cherished grandpa of Victoria. Dear son of Anna GRAZIA. Tony will be sadly missed by his extended family and many Friends. Friends will be received at the Neweduk Funeral Home "Mississauga Chapel," 1981 Dundas St. W. (one block east of Erin Mills Pkwy.), on Friday, February 17, 2006 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Merciful Redeemer Parish, 2275 Erin Centre Blvd. (at Glen Erin Dr.), on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 10: 30 a.m. Entombment Assumption Cemetery. The family would like to thank the many health care workers who cared for and supported their husband and father. Neweduk Funeral Home 905-828-8000 www.neweduk.com

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GRAZIANO o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-03-11 published
MARCO, Adele Leone
Peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2006, in her 92nd year. Predeceased by her parents James and Dolores MARCO. Predeceased by her brother Anthony and her sisters Clara MARCO and Edith SAXON. Cherished aunt of Dolores LONG, Georgina CORNELL and Elaine GRAZIANO. Dear great-aunt of Christopher, Donna, Sean, Michael, Todd, Natalie and Todd. Great-great-aunt of Melissa, Cody, Amanda, Tristan, Brittany, Liam and Julia. The family will receive Friends at the Dods and McNair Funeral Home and Chapel, 21 First Street, Orangeville (519-941-1392) on Sunday, March 12th, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church, 2 Richardson Rd., Toronto on Monday, March 13th, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Toronto. (Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com)

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